Con-com tightens noose on political dynasties

Christian V. Esguerra, ABS-CBN News

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte’s consultative committee on Tuesday agreed to allow relatives within the second civil degree to run only for 2 positions in the same election.

Family members can gun for or hold either a national or regional position at the same time, the committee agreed following a lengthy deliberation that tackled complicated scenarios posed by political dynasties.

One such scenario was the possibility of a candidate for president ending up being disqualified if, say, a sibling runs for a local post.

This would emerge if relatives were allowed only to run for one position during an election.

In the end, the committee went for the option of allowing 2 family members, with a vote of 12-6.

Seven members initially sought to allow only one family member to run in an election, while 6 other members voted for 2.

But since the vote did not comprise a majority, the committee went for a runoff.

So far in the discussions, national positions are limited to those of the president and vice president.

Senators will be classified as regional elective officials since they will be voted from each state under a federal Philippines, based on some proposals.

Congress can also choose to extend the ban on political dynasties, said political science professor Julio Teehankee.

Told that congressmen could also remove the ban, he said: “They may do that, but at least we have done our part and we have crafted, I believe, the most reasonable and hopefully workable anti-dynasty provision that this country has been waiting for for 32 years.”